Top Cloud Storage Services Comparison

As an alternative file storage solution, cloud storage software has become a popular way to save important documents, family photos, and more without using up your computer’s memory space. From security to easy file sharing, cloud storage solutions offer many advantages that work for both home and business use. Although they provide many benefits, even the most popular cloud storage services that have their own pros and cons. Compare the following options to decide which one best meets your needs.

1. Dropbox

Pros: One of the first cloud storage programs, Dropbox is known for its popularity and simplicity. Users receive 2 GB free upon signing up and more storage is available for a fee. Depending on whether an individual wants to use Dropbox for business or personal purposes, the pricing of Dropbox’s extra services can range from $9.99 per month to $795.00 per year for five users. From documents to videos, Dropbox allows users to share a variety of files with business partners, employees, family members and others. Dropbox users can also reach files from their mobile devices with the Dropbox application, which allows them to easily access information on the go.

Cons: Although Dropbox is well known for its services and reputation, its security isn’t as strong as other cloud storage providers, which has raised some concern among users. Since security is crucial when it comes to private documents, Dropbox might not offer the highest protection to its users. The pricing of Dropbox’s other services can be costly for a business or individual, which can result in limited use.

2. Wuala

Pros: With more free storage space than Dropbox, Wuala offers free 5 GB to members when they sign up for its services. For extra storage space, Wuala provides affordable pricing for various storage options: $3.99 per month for 20GB; $6.99 per month for 50 GB; and $11.99 per month for 100 GB. For businesses, Wuala offers a service for $429 per year for 100 GB and five users. Along with affordable pricing, privacy and security are other features Wuala excels at. Before a file is uploaded, Wuala encrypts your computer’s data and splits the file into separate pieces to store in different places. With Wuala’s security, passwords are never transmitted, and no one can read any private files. Even with privacy, Wuala helps its members preserve their files further by providing automatic backup software and file versioning.

Cons: Even though Wuala presents excellent benefits for its services, it can get risky when users share a file with another person. While sharing, the encrypted file becomes unencrypted and can be susceptible to various risks as a result of temporarily weakened privacy. It can also be time-consuming to have to type in the encryption password every time users want to open a file on another device.

3. MediaFire

Pros: Offering free file storage of 50 GB, MediaFire provides a lot of space for all types of files, from video to documents. This free cloud storage service offers unlimited downloads and convenient file sharing, ideal for colleagues or friends. MediaFire also allows for easy sharing on social media sites, from Facebook to Twitter, which makes it a great platform for image sharing. With MediaFire, users of Mac, Windows, Apple and Linux can reap the benefits that MediaFire presents. Android, iPhone, and iPad owners can use MediaFire as well and access files anywhere.

Cons: MediaFire grants 50 GB free to its members when they sign up; however, the file upload limit is 200 MB. This can limit the use of certain types of files and become time consuming for users if they have to upload a file in separate pieces.

4. SkyDrive

Pros: Microsoft’s own cloud storage creation, SkyDrive provides 25 GB of free storage for members. SkyDrive is integrated with Microsoft Office software and Office Web apps, which allows users to edit files such as Word documents with ease. Another integration in the SkyDrive cloud storage software is the social media sharing option that provides users with an easy way to share pictures and other files with friends, family members, Facebook page fans, and more. SkyDrive is also a cross-platform cloud storage provider that allows members to access files from anywhere, including on their mobile devices.

Cons: With SkyDrive’s integration with Microsoft Office software and Office Web apps, users are encouraged to invest in all Microsoft products in order to enjoy the full SkyDrive cloud storage experience. Along with this, SkyDrive’s security is lacking since it doesn’t have password protection or document access permission features.

Depending on your own personal requirements, one or more cloud storage services can be a major asset to your data storage system. When choosing a service, noting the security, storage space, pricing for extra storage, and ease of navigation is important and will help users identify a cloud storage service that fits the needs of any individual or company.